Offshore trade unions wait for proof of Super Puma safety

Offshore unions wait for proof of Super Puma safety

Offshore workers say the Super Puma helicopters involved in a series of crashes and other safety incidents must have full official safety clearance before they are allowed back into service. The union was speaking out about the grounded helicopters after key offshore and aviation industry players gathered behind closed doors for an update on the investigation into a deadly crash in Norway. The possibility of a return to service of Super Puma helicopters was discussed as part of the meeting with manufacturer Airbus, a proposal that has been quashed by air safety regulators. RMT regional organiser Jake Molloy said: “We just made our position clear that we have got to wait for the investigation to be completed before we consider the return to service. Everybody agreed that this was the case anyway. The CAA and the Norwegian CAA has not and will not change until the conclusion of the investigation, which is at the end of April.” He added: “Airbus showed us a lot of stuff that they are doing but whether that returns the aircraft to service or not is not for Airbus to decide – it is for the regulators, the oil industry and the workers to decide.” The Airbus aircraft have been grounded since a fatal crash off Norway last April killed all 13 people on board. In the wake of the tragedy off

The possibility of a return to service of Super Puma helicopters was discussed as part of the meeting with manufacturer Airbus, a proposal that has been quashed by air safety regulators. RMT regional organiser Jake Molloy said: “We just made our position clear that we have got to wait for the investigation to be completed before we consider the return to service. Everybody agreed that this was the case anyway. The CAA and the Norwegian CAA has not and will not change until the conclusion of the investigation, which is at the end of April.” He added: “Airbus showed us a lot of stuff that they are doing but whether that returns the aircraft to service or not is not for Airbus to decide – it is for the regulators, the oil industry and the workers to decide.” The Airbus aircraft have been grounded since a fatal crash off Norway last April killed all 13 people on board. In the wake of the tragedy off Turoey, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) stopped flights for both the model involved, the H225, and its sister chopper the AS332 L2. Although the flight ban was lifted back in October, aviation regulators in the UK and Norway decided to maintain the grounding until a full investigation into the cause of the Norway accident was completed.

Tommy Campbell, chair of the Offshore Coordinating Group (OCG) of trade unions said: “The Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) report is a further development in the investigation process, but it is just part of that process.

“The OCG will await the outcome of investigations aimed at providing proof around what caused the tragedy in Norway and thereafter we will react to those findings.

“The OCG accepts and fully understands the concerns of our respective members and their families, and the OCG trade unions will continue to support members during this period.

“There is no question of this aircraft type coming back into service anytime soon as a consequence of these latest findings.

“If that position changes, we will engage with our members to determine a position”.

Helicopter Safety is No accident Unite and offshore Unions who formed the Trade Union offshore coordinating group (OCG http://www.offshoreworkers.org.uk/) demand the highest health & safety measures to protect all who work fly and travel in offshore helicopters and the OCG works with the Norwegian sector trade unions to ensure standard are maintained

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